Generation 1,Chapter 16

The trip to China was the furthest thing you could get from a honeymoon. Upon arriving in China Vallari took off on her own to learn martial arts. She thought she looked hot in her red heels batting at the dummy. Most of the locals thought she was just another crazy tourist.

She did persevere in gaining a martial arts skill level. Once that was accomplished she was done. She didn't even attempt the board breaker, she was afraid she might bruise her hand or break a nail.

Mean while Peter had tracked her down and decided to go fishing while he waited for her to be done. He hoped she would want to go sightseeing or maybe on an adventure in one of the tombs.  

However she seemed to be taking her time. Peter suggested that maybe she'd progress quicker if she had an instructor or at the very least changed into a suitable outfit to practice in. All he got for his effort to help was a growl and a glare. After that Peter decided to leave and find somewhere else to be.

Peter went to a little farmstead where he could harvest some of the local produce and there was a pond where he could fish. He was feeling out-of-sorts at the way Vallari was acting. He thought she wanted him to come with her to China. However he was feeling if he wanted to be alone he could have stayed at home. At least there he had the kids and the plum bots for company. He thought they had finally worked out there differences and admitted their secrets to each other. But he was feeling there was something Vallari hadn't told him.

He fished for hours, trying to rationalize what Vallari had told him versus what her actions were telling him. One was the truth and he was having the unwelcome realization that her actions were speaking louder than words. He reflected upon the conversation he had with Adam before coming to China. Did Vallari make him happy? He didn't answer that question. Not that he couldn't answer it, he just didn't like the answer. Simply, no she didn't make him happy. If he was honest with himself he hadn't been happy for quite awhile.

Vallari for reasons she only knew decided to find Peter. Instead of joining Peter she decided to play her guitar. Not that she expected anyone but Peter would here it. She rather hoped it would annoy him and at the very least scare the fish. She was feeling irritable and wanted to take it out on someone. That someone was Peter, the source of her unhappiness. It grated on her that he would not be inheriting millions from his Father. How could she have been so stupid as to say she didn't marry him for his inheritance. Of course she did and if she had known he was disinherited she would have said so and her misery would be over. Life was so unfair!

Peter was becoming annoyed by the constant racket Vallari was making. Not that it had any effect on his catching fish. But she disturbed his thinking. He was wondering how he could have been so blind. Why had he been so willing to believe her? He knew deep down that she only married him for his inheritance. Why else would someone who had out right told him she was going to marry for money, marry him? He thought she had changed or maybe that was what he wanted to believe. Even the kids instincts about their mother was more accurate than his. But he had to think of their welfare. He couldn't let Vallari poison their outlook on life. They were so young and deserved to have a happy childhood.

Peter decided it was time to put an end to all this insanity. He sat down and motioned for Vallari to join him. As he spoke he couldn't keep the tears from forming and rolling down his cheeks.

"Vallari are you happy?" Peter wanted to know.

"No" Vallari said without a hint of emotion. Although she was thinking, finally this was coming to an end.

Sighing a little Peter went on "Neither am I. I know this trip was supposed to be our honeymoon but it feels more like the end. We just don't have anything in common except for the kids. But we can't stay married just for them, it'll just make them miserable in the long run. I think we should get a divorce."

"I think so too" without another word Vallari got up and left. She never shed a tear, she didn't look back all she felt was relief.

Peter sat on the ground and wept. He didn't know how it had all gone so wrong. But in his heart he knew this was the only decision he could make but it didn't make it hurt any less.